Truss and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A truss includes at least one web member, and a chord member with an opening for positioning the web member therethrough. A portion of the web member is exposed through the chord opening so that the web member can be directly attached to the bearing, such as by welding. The truss can be made using a template that has a body with an inner wall defining an opening, and at least one attachment element connected to the body for attaching the body to the chord member of the truss. The opening in the chord member is formed by inserting a cutting instrument within the template body opening and tracing the cutting instrument along the inner wall of the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a truss for mounting on a structural bearing,particularly a metal beam. The truss comprises a web mounted on a chord.An opening is cut in the chord so that a portion of the web can beexposed through the chord and contact a structural bearing. The truss ismounted on the bearing by welding or otherwise attaching the webdirectly to the bearing.

Trusses are commonly used in the construction of buildings to providestructural support within a building. Typically, a truss is mounted on abearing member, such as a support beam, and extends upward to providestructural support to the roof.

Prior art trusses have been mounted to support beams using an L-shapedclip. The truss is mounted on the beam by fastening the web of the trussto one segment of the L-shaped clip and fastening the beam to the otherperpendicular segment of the clip. The clip is fastened to the web andbeam by a plurality of screws. As such, the process is extremely laborintensive and time consuming. In addition, the use of the clip andscrews results in higher costs for materials. Furthermore, this methodof attachment does not provide optimal stability or maximum loadcapacity due to eccentricity in the connection of the truss to thebearing. In an effort to overcome and eliminate the aforementionedproblems, the present invention was conceived.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a trussthat can be mounted to a structural bearing, by directly attaching theweb of the truss to the bearing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for mounting atruss on a structural bearing that results in greater stability andmaximum load capacity.

These and other objectives of the present invention are achieved byproviding a truss having at least one web member, and a chord memberwith an opening for positioning the web member therethrough. A portionof the web member is exposed through the chord opening so that the webmember can be directly attached to the bearing.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the web memberhas an upper end and a lower end, and the lower end is positionedthrough the chord member opening.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the webmember is welded to the bearing.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thechord member includes a base segment and a side segment extendingupwardly from the base segment, and further wherein the chord memberopening is positioned in the base segment.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the webmember is positioned substantially perpendicular to the base segment.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,fastening members connect the web member to the side segment of thechord member.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the webmember is substantially U-shaped or W-shaped.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thechord member opening is sized such that the web member frictionallyengages the chord member when the web member is positioned through theopening.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thechord opening is substantially rectangular.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thetruss includes a plurality of web members, and each web member ispositioned on the chord member at predetermined spaced apart intervalscorresponding to predetermined positioning of a plurality of bearings onwhich the truss is to be mounted.

A preferred method for mounting a truss on a bearing according to theinvention, includes the step of providing a truss having a web member,and a chord member with an opening therein. A portion of the web memberis positioned within the chord member opening, and the truss ispositioned on the bearing such that the web member contacts the bearing.The web member is attached to the bearing.

Another preferred method for mounting a truss on a bearing according tothe invention, includes the step of connecting the web member to thechord member using fastening members.

Yet another preferred method for mounting a truss on a bearing accordingto the invention, includes the step of welding the web member to thebearing.

A preferred method for making a truss according to the inventionincludes the steps of providing at least one web member and a chordmember, and forming at least one opening in the chord member. The webmember is positioned through the chord member opening to expose aportion of the web member for contacting a bearing so that the webmember can be directly attached to the bearing.

Another preferred method for making a truss according to the inventionincludes the step of connecting the web member to the chord member usingone or more fasteners.

Yet another preferred method for making a truss according to theinvention includes the steps of providing a template sized and shaped tocorrespond to a desired size and shape for the chord member opening,positioning the template at a desired location on the chord member, andtracing the template with a laser to cut the opening in the chordmember.

According to yet another preferred method for making a truss, thetemplate is traced with an ionized gas laser.

Yet another preferred method for making a truss according to theinvention includes the step of providing a template having a body withan inner wall defining an opening, and an attachment element connectedto the body for attaching the body to a chord member of a truss, so thatthe opening can be formed in the chord member by tracing the laser alongthe inner wall of the body.

According to yet another preferred method for making a truss, thetemplate includes a bracket shaped for positioning on the chord member;and the attachment element includes at least one magnet pivotallyconnected to the body so that the template is stabilized on the chordmember.

Yet another preferred method for making a truss according to theinvention includes the step of forming a plurality of openings spacedapart at one or more predetermined intervals on the chord member tocorrespond to predetermined positioning of a plurality of bearings onwhich the truss is to be mounted.

Yet another preferred method for making a truss according to theinvention, includes the step of projecting a coherent visible light beamat each of the predetermined intervals at which the plurality ofopenings in the chord members are to be formed.

A template for use in making a truss according to the invention,includes a body having an inner wall defining an opening, and at leastone attachment element connected to the body for attaching the body to achord member of a truss, so that an opening having a predetermined shapecan be formed in the chord member by inserting a cutting instrumentwithin the body opening and tracing the cutting instrument along theinner wall of the body.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the templateincludes a bracket shaped for positioning on the chord member, and atleast one magnet connected to the body for contacting the chord memberso that the template is stabilized on the chord member.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thetemplate includes a reference mark positioned on the bracket foraligning the template at a desired position on the chord member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the inventionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art truss mounted on a bearing;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a truss according to a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the truss of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the truss of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a template for making a truss accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown mounted on the chordof the truss;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the template of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is yet another perspective view of the template of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the template of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a truss according to a preferredembodiment of the invention, shown mounted on a plurality of bearings;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred method for makinga truss according to the invention, showing a laser alignment device forpositioning the template at a plurality of bearing points on the chordof the truss; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a truss according to another preferredembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an example of a prior arttruss is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral10. The prior art truss 10 comprises a web 11 and a chord 12 formounting on a beam 13. The truss 10 is mounted on the beam 13 using aconnecting cap 14 and an L-shaped clip 15. The connecting cap 14 isplaced over the web 11 and connected using screws 16. The upper segmentof the L-shaped clip 15 is placed against the cap 14 and connected withscrews 16. The base segment of the clip 15 is positioned on the top ofthe beam 13, and is mounted thereon with screws 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the truss according to the present inventionis illustrated in FIG. 2, and shown generally at reference numeral 20.The truss 20 generally comprises a web 21 mounted on a chord 22. Thetruss 20 is preferably made of metal, but can be made of any suitablematerial.

As shown in FIG. 2, the web 21 is U-shaped, and the chord 22 has asubstantial L-shape, with a base segment 23 and an upper segment 24extending upwardly from the base segment 23. While the web 21 is shownas preferably being U-shaped, the web can be a variety of other shapes,including W-shaped. The web 21 is positioned against the upper segment24 of the chord 22, and connected by fastening members, such as screws26, as shown in FIG. 3. Approximately 2-30 screws 26 are preferablyused.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base segment 23 of the chord 22 has an opening25 through which the lower edge 27 of the web 21 is positioned. Thetruss 10 is mounted on a structural bearing, such as a beam 33, bypositioning the web 21 and the chord 22 on the beam 33 such that thebase segment 23 of the chord 22 resides on top of the beam 33. The loweredge 27 of the web 21, which is exposed through the opening 25 in thechord 22, directly contacts the beam 33. As such, the lower edge 27 ofthe web 21 can be directly attached to the beam 33. Preferably, the web21 is attached to the beam 33 by welding the lower edge 27 of the web 21to the beam 33. The opening 25 in the chord 22 is shown to berectangular, but can be of any suitable size and shape, provided theopening 25 exposes a sufficient amount of the web 21 to provide a strongweld to the beam 33. Preferably, the chord member opening 25 is sizedsuch that the web 21 frictionally engages the chord 22 when the web 21is positioned within the opening 25.

The truss 20 eliminates the need for the connecting cap 14 and theL-shaped clip 15 of the prior art truss 10 discussed above. By directlyattaching the web 21 to the beam 33, the truss 20 provides asignificantly stronger and more stable mounting than what is offered bythe prior art truss 10. This results in a greater maximum load capacity.The prior art truss 10 has a maximum uplift capacity of approximately5,000 pounds, while the truss 20 of present invention provides a maximumuplift capacity of approximately 8,000 pounds. Furthermore, mounting thetruss 20 of the present invention on the beam 33 is much less laborintensive than the prior art truss 10, which requires approximately10-30 screws. It is estimated that the truss 20 of the present inventionresults in a savings of approximately $3-4 per bearing point over theprior art truss 10.

A preferred method for making the truss 20 of the present inventionincludes the use of a template illustrated in FIG. 5, and showngenerally at reference numeral 40. The template preferably comprises abody 41, an attachment bracket 42, and two magnets 43, 44. The templateis preferably made of metal, but can be of any suitable material.

The body 41 of the template 40 is preferably rectangular, but can be anyvariety of shapes. The body 41 has an opening 45 defined by an innerwall surface 46. Preferably, the opening 45 is rectangular, however, itcan be any variety of shapes. The attachment bracket 42 preferably hasan L-shape, and is sized for positioning on the edge of the base segment23 of the chord 22, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The bracket 42 ispositioned on the chord 22 at a bearing point—a point on the chord 22where it has been determined that the truss 20 will be mounted on a beam33 and therefore an opening 25 must be made in the chord 22.

The magnets 43, 44 are pivotally connected at opposite ends of the body41. Once the bracket 42 is positioned on the chord 22, the magnets 43,44 are pivoted upward to contact the underside of the base segment 23 ofthe chord 22, as shown in FIG. 6, and stabilize the template 40 on thechord 22.

Now that the template 40 is securely attached to the chord 22, a cuttinginstrument, such as an ionized gas laser 34, is provided. The laser 34is positioned within the opening 45 of the template 40, and the operatormoves the laser 34 along the inner wall 44, tracing the template opening45, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As such, the chord opening 35 is formedhaving a size and shape similar to the template opening 45. While thecutting instrument is preferably the laser 34, any instrument capable ofcutting through chord 22 can be used.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9,and shown generally at reference numeral 40. The truss 40 includes achord 42 with a plurality of webs 41, 41′, 41″ mounted on a plurality ofbeams 53, 53′, 53″, respectively. The chord 42 preferably has an L-shapedesign with a base segment 43 and upper segment 44, as in the embodimentdescribed above.

To make the truss 40, a plurality of bearing points are spaced atintervals on the chord 42 corresponding to the intervals at which thebeams 53, 53′, 53″ are positioned in a particular building in which thetruss 40 is to be used. The operator can determine the positioning ofthe bearing points on the chord 42 by measuring the distance of eachinterval on the chord 42 by hand, or a laser apparatus 36 can beprovided to assist the operator, as shown in FIG. 10. The laserapparatus 36 is positioned above the chord 42, and projects a coherent,visible indicating light 37 on the chord 42 at the predetermineddistance between each beam 53, 53′, 53″ to indicate to the operatorwhere to position the template 40 on the chord 42. In addition, thetemplate 40 preferably includes a reference mark 47 on the bracket 42 ofthe template 40 to assist the operator in properly positioning thetemplate 40 at each bearing point on the chord 42. The operator alignsthe indicating light 37 projected on the chord 42 with the referencemark 47 on the template 40 to properly position the template 40 on thechord 42, as shown in FIG. 10.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 11,and shown generally at reference numeral 70. The truss 70 has a web 71that is substantially W-shaped. The truss 70 is otherwise identical inconstruction to the truss 20 described above. As such, the trussincludes a chord 72 having an opening in which the web 71 is exposed andattached directly to a bearing, such as a beam 83.

A truss and methods of using and making same are disclosed above.Various embodiments of the invention can be made without departing fromits scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferredembodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing theinvention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not forthe purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

1. A truss comprising: (a) at least one web member; and (b) a chordmember having an opening therein for positioning the web membertherethrough to expose a portion of the web member for contacting abearing whereby the web member can be directly attached to the bearing.2. A truss according to claim 1, wherein the web member has an upper endand a lower end, and the lower end is positioned through the chordmember opening.
 3. A truss according to claim 1, wherein the web memberis attached to the bearing by a weld.
 4. A truss according to claim 1,wherein the chord member includes a base segment and a side segmentextending upwardly from the base segment, and further wherein the chordmember opening is positioned in the base segment.
 5. A truss accordingto claim 4, wherein the web member is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the base segment.
 6. A truss according to claim 4,further comprising fastening members connecting the web member to theside segment of the chord member.
 7. A truss according to claim 1,wherein the web member is substantially U-shaped or W-shaped.
 8. A trussaccording to claim 1, wherein the chord member opening is sized suchthat the web member frictionally engages the chord member when the webmember is positioned through the opening.
 9. A truss according to claim1, wherein the chord opening is substantially rectangular.
 10. A trussaccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of web members,wherein each web member is positioned on the chord member atpredetermined spaced apart intervals corresponding to predeterminedpositioning of a plurality of bearings on which the truss is to bemounted.
 11. A method for mounting a truss on a bearing, comprising thesteps of: (a) providing a truss comprising: (i) a web member, (ii) achord member having an opening therein, and (iii) wherein a portion ofthe web member is positioned within the chord member opening; (b)positioning the truss on the bearing such that the web member contactsthe bearing; and (c) attaching the web member to the bearing.
 12. Amethod according to claim 11, further comprising the step of connectingthe web member to the chord member with fastening members.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the step of attaching the web member tothe bearing comprises welding the web member to the bearing.
 14. Amethod of making a truss, comprising the steps of: (a) providing atleast one web member and a chord member; (b) forming at least oneopening in the chord member; (c) positioning the web member through thechord member opening to expose a portion of the web member forcontacting a bearing whereby the web member can be directly attached tothe bearing.
 15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising thestep of connecting the web member to the chord member using one or morefasteners.
 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step offorming at least one opening in the chord member comprises the steps of:(a) providing a template sized and shaped to correspond to a desiredsize and shape for the chord member opening; (b) positioning thetemplate at a desired location on the chord member; and (c) tracing thetemplate with a laser to cut the opening in the chord member.
 17. Amethod according to claim 16, wherein the step of tracing the templatewith a laser comprises tracing the template with an ionized gas laser.18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing atemplate comprises providing a template comprising: (a) a body having aninner wall defining an opening; and (b) an attachment element connectedto the body for attaching the body to a chord member of a truss, wherebythe opening can be formed in the chord member by tracing the laser alongthe inner wall of the body.
 19. A method according to claim 18, whereinthe step of providing a template comprises providing a template furthercomprising a bracket shaped for positioning on the chord member; andfurther wherein the attachment element comprises at least one magnetpivotally connected to the body whereby the template is stabilized onthe chord member.
 20. A method according to claim 14, wherein the stepof forming at least one opening in the chord member comprises forming aplurality of openings spaced apart at one or more predeterminedintervals on the chord member to correspond to predetermined positioningof a plurality of bearings on which the truss is to be mounted.
 21. Amethod according to claim 20, further comprising the step of projectinga coherent visible light beam at each of the predetermined intervals atwhich the plurality of openings in the chord members are to be formed.22. A template for use in making a truss, comprising: (a) a body havingan inner wall defining an opening; and (b) at least one attachmentelement connected to the body for attaching the body to a chord memberof a truss, whereby an opening having a predetermined shape can beformed in the chord member by inserting a cutting instrument within thebody opening and tracing the cutting instrument along the inner wall ofthe body.
 23. A template according to claim 22, wherein the attachmentelement comprises: (a) a bracket shaped for positioning on the chordmember; and (b) at least one magnet connected to the body for contactingthe chord member whereby the template is stabilized on the chord member.24. A template according to claim 23, further comprising a referencemark on positioned on the bracket for aligning the template at a desiredposition on the chord member.
 25. A template according to claim 22,wherein the attachment element comprises: (a) an L-shaped bracket forpositioning on the chord member; and (b) first and second magnetspivotally connected to the body, wherein the magnets are pivotable intoa contacting position with the chord member whereby the template isstabilized on the chord member.